CAIRO: The Arab Ministers of Social Affairs affirmed their continued support for the people of Gaza as a result of the continuation of brutal Zionist attacks until the situation stabilizes and the process of redressing the difficult social and humanitarian impacts in the Gaza Strip. This came in a statement by the Assistant Secretary-General and Head of the Social Affairs Sector of the League of Arab States, Ambassador Haifa Abu Ghazala, at the conclusion of the 43rd session of the Council of Arab Ministers of Social Affairs.

Abu Ghazala praised the keenness of many Arab countries to provide relief, social, humanitarian, and health support to the Gaza Strip and their keenness to follow up. Abu Ghazala thanked the Egyptian Minister of Social Solidarity, Nevin Al-Kabbaj, for her efforts in her capacity as Vice President of the Red Crescent to deliver aid to the Arab Council of Ministers of Social Affairs and Health, as well as aid to Arab countries and friendly countries, and her diligent follow-up of all relevant details.

Abu Ghazala explained that the Arab ministers approved a number of important decisions within the framework of the Council’s jurisdiction, especially with regard to preparing for the upcoming Arab Summit in its (33rd) session in Bahrain, as well as the Fifth Arab Development Summit: Economic and Social in Mauritania.

The Council also approved a number of strategies, plans, and programs related to eliminating multidimensional poverty and promoting the rights of persons with disabilities, including topics related to the elderly, family, and childhood, in addition to providing support to a number of social projects in member states. Earlier, Kuwait reiterated its staunch support for the Palestinian people in the face of crimes committed by the Zionist occupation against civilians, schools, hospitals, and houses in the Gaza Strip, the Gulf state’s permanent representative to the Arab League said.

The 43rd session of the Council of Arab Ministers of Social Affairs kicked off on Wednesday in Cairo. The Egyptian Minister of Social Solidarity, Nevine Al-Kabbaj, said in her opening speech that this session was held in a delicate phase that witnessed unprecedented struggles and challenges because of the ongoing aggression on Palestinians.

Al-Kabbaj noted that since the first day of the aggression, Egypt has sent 4000 shipments of humanitarian aid through Rafah crossing by the Egyptian Red Crescent Society and continues sending aid for the people of Gaza until the situation calms down. She added that this meeting is considered an opportunity for exchanging visions and expertise to support the sustainable development plan of 2030 that would benefit Arab citizens.

On her part, Abu Ghazala started her speech by expressing her condolences to Kuwait over the passing of the late Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and wishing His Highness the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah success and prosperity. She also said that the world is witnessing a human tragedy that will be printed in history and people’s memories due to the vicious crimes of the Zionist occupation against Palestinians.

Abu Ghazala suggested forming an emergency committee in the Council of Ministers of Social Affairs that would make immediate and necessary decisions in the social and humanitarian fields, and that the council remain ongoing until the situation in Gaza stabilizes. She expressed confidence that these difficult times will not stop the Council from continuing its work to promote joint Arab social development work in various social fields.

Furthermore, she explained that the agenda includes many topics that represent a priority for Arab people and contribute to strengthening Arab efforts aimed at implementing the Sustainable Development Plan of 2030 by focusing on vulnerable groups in society. She also stressed the importance of preparations for the Arab Economic and Social Development Summit in its fifth session in Mauritania, in light of the results of the extraordinary session of the council last October in Tunisia, as well as preparing for the upcoming Arab Summit in Bahrain and other important related topics. The Kuwaiti delegation was headed by Kuwait’s Permanent Representative to the Arab League, Ambassador Talal Al-Mutairi. — KUNA